The Philippine Department of Agriculture has approved a 60-day temporary suspension of pork imports after a preliminary investigation concluded that the sharp increase in foreign purchases is severely harming domestic production.
The measure, authorized by an order signed on November 7, aims to protect Filipino farmers from falling farmgate prices, stockpiling, and the ongoing challenges the sector faces due to the effects of African swine fever (ASF) .
The suspension affects certain consignments of fresh, chilled, and frozen pork, carcasses, and edible offal , identified by the corresponding ASEAN tariff codes. The restriction will take effect when the Customs Office issues the implementing order or 15 days after its publication in two newspapers of general circulation, whichever occurs first.
Philippine Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr. has indicated that the government is considering extending the suspension beyond 60 days, while acknowledging the need to strike a balance between protecting domestic producers and addressing the needs of consumers and the processing industry. Meanwhile, the case will be referred to the Tariff Commission, which will conduct a formal investigation to determine whether a definitive safeguard measure is warranted.
The Agriculture Minister also reiterated his support for an increase in tariffs on imported pork , which would rise from 15% to 30% for imports within the quota and from 25% to 40% for those outside the quota.
Imports increase by 42% in two years
The Philippine government’s decision comes after a significant increase in pork imports. According to data from the Department of Agriculture, imports rose 42% between 2023 and 2025, from 589,675 to 836,240 tons. At the same time, their share of domestic production increased from 39% in 2021 to 61% in 2025, reaching 65% during the first half of 2026.
This trend has coincided with a gradual decline in the country’s self-sufficiency. Pork self-sufficiency fell from 74.3% in 2021 to 65.5% in 2025, reaching just 54% between January and August 2026. Meanwhile, the share of imports in domestic consumption has increased to 55%.
The accumulation of imported meat has also extended to cold storage. In July 2026, frozen pork stocks reached 121,000 tons, 38% higher than a year earlier and more than double the amount in 2024. Of this volume, 94% was imported, reflecting the growing presence of foreign meat in the Philippine market.
This situation has put significant pressure on the prices received by domestic producers. The average farmgate price of pork fell from 198.30 pesos per kilo in 2025 to 175.75 pesos in the first half of 2026, an 11.4% drop that has exacerbated the economic difficulties faced by farms.
The suspension of imports is in addition to other measures taken by the Philippine government to strengthen its pork industry. These include expanding corn import quotas to reduce animal feed costs, initiatives to facilitate the marketing of African swine fever (ASF) vaccines, and the passage of the Animal Industry Development and Competitiveness Act.
Furthermore, the Executive had previously established maximum recommended retail prices for certain cuts of pork, with the aim of containing food inflation.
